Identify Your Climate and Soil Conditions

The first step in choosing the best apple varieties and rootstocks for your orchard is to understand your local climate and soil conditions. Different apple varieties thrive in different climates, and rootstocks have varying degrees of tolerance to soil types and environmental stressors.

1. Climate Compatibility: Research which apple varieties are best suited to your region’s climate. For instance, some apples like ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ require a longer growing season and do well in warmer climates, while others like ‘Honeycrisp’ and ‘McIntosh’ prefer cooler climates.
2. Soil Type: Assess your soil type and choose rootstocks that are compatible. Some rootstocks are more tolerant of heavy clay soils, while others perform better in sandy or loamy soils. For example, the M.9 rootstock is well-suited for well-drained soils, whereas the MM.111 rootstock is more adaptable to various soil types.

Ideal Temperature Range for Apples:

• Nursery stage: 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F)
• Fruit formation:
  • Initial stage: Warm and sunny weather (nights should not fall below 10°C or 50°F)
  • Ripening: 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
• Average annual temperature: 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F)

Temperatures That Can Harm Trees:

• Low temperatures:Temperatures below -30°C (-22°F) can seriously damage apple trees.
• They can generally withstand temperatures down to -25°C (-13°F), but when this limit is exceeded, branches and trunks start to suffer.
• Open flowers begin to suffer at -2.2°C to -2.3°C (28°F to 29°F) and small fruits at -1.1°C to -2.2°C (32°F to 29°F).
• Note: Some apple varieties can be hardy to -40°C (-40°F).
• High temperatures:
  • Temperatures above 35°C (95°F) can damage apple trees.
  • In this case, plant growth slows down or even stops.
  • Fruit development is adversely affected and heatstroke symptoms may appear.

What Kind of Soil Do Apple Trees Grow In?

The most suitable soils for apple cultivation are:

• Loam: A balanced soil type containing both sand and clay.
• Loamy sand: A well-drained soil type with moderate water holding capacity.
• Sandy loam: A soil type that contains more clay than sand but still drains well.
• Permeable: A soil type that allows water to pass through easily and provides sufficient air for root health.
• Containing adequate lime and humus: Lime improves nutrient uptake, while humus increases the soil’s water holding capacity and organic matter content.
• Moist: The soil should be moist but not waterlogged.

Things to Consider:

• In very calcareous soils: Iron uptake may be hindered and the plant may turn yellow. Adding iron chelate to the soil can solve this problem.
• Soil depth: Should be 2 meters and above. This provides adequate space for healthy root development.
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic (pH 6.0-6.5). Most apple varieties grow best in this pH range.
• Substructure: The substructure of the area where the orchard will be established should be suitable for root development and provide water drainage. Waterlogging can lead to root rot.

Chilling Requirement for Apples:

Apple is a fruit tree that requires a period of winter dormancy, and its chilling requirement is longer than that of other fruits. Chilling breaks dormancy, which is necessary for bud break and flowering. As spring approaches, their cold hardiness decreases, and the plant becomes most sensitive to cold during the bud swelling period. After leaf fall, when the fruits are small, apples are most vulnerable to cold.

Chilling Requirements of Some Apple Varieties:

Variety	Chilling Requirement (Hours)
Starking Delicious	1200-1500
Golden Delicious	1200-1500
StarkSpur Golden	1200-1500
Starkrimson Delicious	1200-1500
Demir Elması (Iron Apple)	2900-3000
Hüryemez	2150-2200
Amasya	2536
Gala	400
Anna	200

Insufficient chilling:

• Can cause some flowers to die
• Can cause the remaining flowers to open late and irregularly
• Can cause late-blooming flowers to shed due to insufficient fertilization and pollination
• Can prevent leaf buds from opening and leave the tree bare

Conclusion:

By providing suitable climate and soil conditions, you can grow healthy apple trees and enjoy delicious